Alzheimer’s disease

September 3, 2020

New clue to Alzheimer’s disease

Combining studies of genetically diverse mouse populations and human data led to the identification of a gene associated with cognitive decline and brain changes in Alzheimer’s disease.

By Bill Snyder
August 6, 2020

Grant supports research on abnormal brain aging

With the aid of an $18.2 million, five-year grant renewal from the National Institute on Aging, the Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project (VMAP) will advance interdisciplinary research into abnormal brain aging and cognitive decline in older adults, with continuing emphasis on the role of blood flow changes in the heart and brain.

By Paul Govern
July 20, 2020

Study points to potential new approach to treating neurodegenerative diseases like glaucoma and Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at Vanderbilt University Medical Center have shown for the first time that when one optic nerve in the eye is damaged, as in glaucoma, the opposite optic nerve comes to the rescue by sharing its metabolic energy.

By Bill Snyder
May 7, 2020

New study examines Alzheimer’s disease images and molecular biomarkers

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) involves distinctive wasting away of certain brain regions, such that medical imaging of these regions can distinguish the disease from other subtypes of dementia.

By Paul Govern
February 12, 2020

Study seeks link between menopause, Alzheimer’s

Beginning this month, researchers from VUMC and the University of Vermont are launching a study to examine whether cognitive changes that occur at menopause for some women are related to an increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

By Kelsey Herbers
December 12, 2019

Study examines HIV drug’s potential to treat Alzheimer’s

A drug used to treat and prevent HIV/AIDS is showing promise as a potential therapy for Alzheimer’s disease.

By Bill Snyder
December 5, 2019

Study reveals mysteries of critical brain receptor complex

Poorly functioning AMPARs have been linked to a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders including seizures, Alzheimer’s disease, major depression and autism spectrum disorder. Understanding how AMPARs are formed and operate is essential for the rational design of pharmacological compounds that, by tuning AMPAR activity up or down, could improve treatment of these conditions.
By Bill Snyder
October 17, 2019

Grant bolsters Schrag’s Alzheimer’s disease research

Matthew Schrag, MD, PhD, assistant professor of Neurology, has received a Paul B. Beeson Emerging Leaders Career Development Award in Aging for research into the function of a novel protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease risk.
By Holly Fletcher
October 10, 2019

Study examines pain processing in co-occurring cancer, Alzheimer’s disease

A new multisite study will examine whether co-occurring Alzheimer’s disease and stage 4 breast or prostate cancer alters pain perception, potentially leading to undertreated cancer pain.
By Kelsey Herbers
July 18, 2019

How proteins spread linked to Alzheimer’s disease sex differences

The ways certain proteins spread may help explain why the prevalence of Alzheimer’s is higher in women than in men.
By Kelsey Herbers
December 14, 2018

Using a mapping technique to reassess prior Alzheimer’s studies finds ‘powerful,’ improved reproducibility

A neurologist is using a mapping analysis in a new study to rethink where symptoms or cognitive processes should show up in the brain. The results are ‘powerful.’
By Holly Fletcher
November 8, 2018

Vitamin C protects brain from seizures

Brain ascorbate — vitamin C — is important for protecting the brain against seizures and cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s disease.
By Nora Foegeding
October 25, 2018

Probing the pathology of impaired cognition

Detecting the neuropathology underlying cognitive impairment by lead to new targeted therapies.
By Bill Snyder